There are many joys you probably experienced as a child, from riding your bike down the streets of your neighborhood to coloring books of all your favorite cartoon characters. What if we told you that coloring was not just restricted to those in elementary school, though? In fact, coloring has become a popular activity among many adults in recent years. Championed for its creativity and meditative nature, coloring helps you express yourself on paper, and its repetitive process allows you to stay present and focus on a certain task. Curious about other benefits behind coloring for adults? Check out the list below!
Looking at color may reduce pain and anxiety.
Ever heard of art therapy? At its core, art therapy is therapy rooted in the belief of the healing powers of art, color, and other aesthetics. Art therapy might sound ineffective, but according to one study, researchers found that participating in art therapy for an average of 50 minutes significantly improved hospital patients’ moods and lowered levels of pain and anxiety.
Coloring can calm your busy or overworked mind.
Coloring requires basic, repetitive motions, which makes it great for stress relief. Why? Well, these motions engage parts of the cerebral cortex while relaxing the amygdala, the brain's fear center. Not to mention, coloring can urge your mind to shift its focus from daily stressors to more in-the-moment observations, like what the crayon feels like between your fingers.
Coloring can inspire you in many ways.
As a child, you enjoyed plenty of open-ended, unstructured play time. Yet, as an adult, these opportunities are fewer and further between. Coloring can fill that void by engaging your mind, while giving it plenty of space to wander. According to experts, it’s in these moments of unstructured engagement that many new ideas pop up. Pick up coloring at home, and you may find that it leads to a stroke of genius!
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